The Junior Leagues of Westchester County Legislative Breakfast on Meeting the Challenges for Improving the Nutrition in Our Schools

WHAT:  The Junior Leagues of Bronxville, Central Westchester, Northern Westchester, Pelham and Westchester on the Sound invite you to an informative discussion on the economic, legislative and health challenges New York State and Westchester County schools face in providing better nutritious food for our children.Facts:

• NYS lags behind other states in addressing the childhood obesity crisis
• Children consume 35-50% of their total daily caloric intake at school
• 82% of middle schools and 97% of high schools have vending machines and
• 83% of these vending machines serve “foods of minimal nutritional value” (FMNV)
• 28 states and D.C. have nutritional standards for “competitive” foods (i.e., foods sold outside of school meals, including vending machines, a la carte items, and school store and canteen items)
• NYS bans some candies and sugary drinks during some parts of the school day, but does not address levels of fat, sodium or added sugar in food
• Schools that replace FMNV with healthier options experience an increase in revenue and profits

WHEN: Friday, May 20, 2011

WHERE: Greenburgh Town Hall, 177 Hillside Avenue, Greenburgh, NY

WHO:  Honorable Nita Lowey, U.S. Congresswoman

Christina Rohbatynskyi, Director of Food Bank for Westchester

Nancy Huehnergarth, Director of NYSHEPAA

Delly Beekman, President American Junior Leagues International

Mary Anne Sullivan, Supervisor, Food Services, Yonkers Public Schools

Panel Discussion and Q&A Moderated by Amy Nay, News Channel 12

About the Junior Leagues of Westchester County:

Member organizations of the Association of Junior Leagues International, the Junior Leagues of Bronxville, Northern Westchester, Pelham, Westchester on the Sound and Central Westchesterare nonprofit, nonsecterian volunteer organizations of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Their purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.